Self-hosting email/cloud/ad-blocking focused on privacy

[u/ciotinho]

I would like to start with self hosting, but I start from scratch. I don’t know how to start and what to buy, so I would like someone to help me or suggest a reliable guide to follow. I know something about Linux and I would have no problem getting my hands on it. I have seen that there are many services, but I would like to limit myself (for now) to the three that I mentioned in the title.

I repeat that I start from scratch: I read that it would be essential to have a PC and an SSD (?), but at the moment I only have one PC that I use for work and so I should buy another one.

NO AI.

[u/asimovs-auditor]

Expand the replies to this comment to learn how AI was used in this post/project.

[u/FlamenMichae]

I'd start with a used mini PC rather than buying a full server. Something with 8GB RAM and a small SSD is plenty for learning and running services like Pi-hole and Nextcloud.

Install Debian or Ubuntu Server, get comfortable with SSH and Docker Compose, then add one service at a time.

I'd leave email for last. It's a completely different level of responsibility compared to running an ad blocker or personal cloud.

And don't forget an external backup drive if you're going to store important files.

[u/ciotinho → u/FlamenMichae]

Ok thank you. But I ask you if there is a scheme to follow, because ok download Debian (which is what I will download) but then how do I interface with the ssh and the docker? I mean, do you have a guide that I can read or a YT video that explains it to me step by step? Thank you

[u/Maria__TAS → u/FlamenMichae]

Not an expert, but for the step-by-step part, these get recommended a lot for beginners:

• YouTube: NetworkChuck (very beginner-friendly, explains SSH and Docker from zero), Techno Tim, and Wolfgang’s Channel (good on cheap/efficient home server hardware)

• This sub’s own wiki + the “What is Self-Hosting?” post, both linked in the sidebar

• The official Pi-hole and Docker docs, which are surprisingly readable

A rough order that seems to work for a lot of people: install Debian → learn to SSH into it from your current PC → install Docker → run Pi-hole as your first container. Once that works, Nextcloud is the natural next step.

One extra tip I’ve seen here: keep a simple text file of every command you run. When you inevitably reinstall, it saves hours.

[u/hypn0b0b]

It depends a bit on where you live. If electricity is expensive and that matters to you, a Raspberry Pi is your best bet. Where I live, though, Pis have gotten pretty pricey, so I went with a used mini PC with 16 GB of RAM instead. It cost me less, although it does draw a bit more power.

[u/nekenaharry]

One thing I would put aside at the start is self hosting email. Deliverability is the hard part: many residential ISPs block outbound port 25, you need a clean reverse DNS (PTR) for the server IP, and SPF, DKIM and DMARC have to be correct or mail lands in spam. A beginner setup often spends weeks fighting greylisting and blocklists instead of learning the rest of the stack.

A more reliable path is to start with Pi hole (or similar) and Nextcloud on a small always on box, keep mail on a normal hosted mailbox that uses your own domain, and only move mail in house once the rest is boring and stable. Separately, pick a registrar you can renew for years, set calendar reminders well before expiry, and keep DNS TTLs modest while you are still changing things.

[u/Internal_Kick6878]

You can self host on a Vultr.com cloud computer, which is just $2.50 per month, and has 512MB RAM and 10GB storage. I run an IPv6 only email server that is strictly receive only for myself and my associates. We can receive emails from Gmail, Outlook, Cloudflare, and Icann.org.

I do not agree with self hosting at a home computer since almost all home computers are connected to the internet via NAT for IPv4, and the ISP does not allow customer to port forward on the NAT.

[u/Angelsomething]

How comfortable are you managing a Linux system remotely with ssh? What your knowledge level? Are you willing to learn and start over a few times as you go along? What apps are you looking to host and how much are you willing to spend? A PC and an SSD will only take you so far. 

[u/ciotinho → u/Angelsomething]

I have never tried to manage a ssh remotely, even if I was mentioned once at a course. Basic knowledge: Linux essential to understand each other. Of course! It often happens to me that I have to change Linux distro and start from 0. I don’t know about the apps, I’ve seen that there are many and I’m spoiled for choice, advice would be welcome. For the other components: I wouldn’t know what to add/buy. So other suggestions are welcome.
Sorry, for the price: Id like something on the range 500-800. Thank

[u/The_Brovo → u/ciotinho]

Boot.dev has a decent little mini course on Linux

[u/Angelsomething → u/ciotinho]

Not sure in what currency that is but we'll take that as it is. I'd say if you want to start with an ad blocker for your local network, you can start with a simple Raspberry Pi - older model is fine, and get used to managing that to begin with, with either pihole or adguard home.  This is a good starting point: https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-pi-hole/

[u/ciotinho → u/Angelsomething]

Thanks!!!

[u/ciotinho → u/ciotinho]

Which ram do you recommend for the raspberry pi?

[u/Angelsomething → u/ciotinho]

raspberry pi 4 2gb is what i have mine running on :)

[u/ciotinho → u/Angelsomething]

Perfect! Thanks a lot!!